Matera Open Bus Tour: Sassi & Casa Grotta in 90 minutes

See the Sassi from above and inside a cave dwelling

A 90-minute open bus tour of Matera's UNESCO-listed Sassi with multilingual audio commentary, scenic stops overlooking the Gravina ravine and Murgia Materana Park, and admission to Casa Grotta Narrante, a restored cave house. The tour includes a live Italian-speaking guide, a city map, and a 10% discount voucher for a local bar. You'll need a charged smartphone and headphones to access the audio guide in English, Spanish or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Matera sightseeing and Cave House visit

• Listen to historical introduction
• View panoramic Sassi from Belvedere Colombo
• Visit Traditional Cave House
• Enjoy scenic ride along Gravina ravine
• Admire Sassi from below and return

The experience

The bus departs with a historical introduction and climbs to take in the city's layout from above, then stops at Belvedere Colombo (the square beside the Church of Sant'Agostino), where the panoramic view opens up across both Sassi districts. From there, you walk into Casa Grotta Narrante, a traditional cave dwelling in the heart of the Sassi, to see how local families arranged their homes and lived in these carved spaces until the 1950s.

The route then follows the Gravina ravine, where the bus slows past dramatic rock formations, the suspension bridge, and the Rupestrian Churches Park carved into the canyon walls. On evening departures, the illuminated historic districts glow as you pass through. The final stretch loops through the Municipal Garden before returning to the starting point. Most of the day happens from your seat. The itinerary notes a few stops with short walks on mostly flat surfaces, though small steps may appear along the way.

Audio commentary is available in English, French and Spanish through the POPGuide app, which you download to your smartphone before the tour. Bring headphones and a fully charged device. A live guide in Italian is also present and can assist in English if needed. The tour operates with a minimum of two participants.

What’s included

• Ninety-minute open bus tour with live Italian-speaking guide (English assistance available).
• multilingual audio commentary in English, French and Spanish via smartphone app.
• admission to Casa Grotta Narrante.
• city map.
• 10% discount voucher for a local bar.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 15:30Last departure this season: 3 Jan 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (10 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 14

Live guideItalian

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Martulli Viaggi

Is this one for you?The bus handles most of the sightseeing, so you'll see the Sassi and the Gravina ravine from your seat with photo stops at the best viewpoints: ideal if you want the highlights without extended walking or climbing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Casa Grotta Narrante and what will I see inside it?

Casa Grotta Narrante is a restored traditional cave house in the Sassi where you'll see how families lived in these carved dwellings, with period furnishings and details showing daily life until the 1950s. It's included in your tour admission.

Do I need to bring anything to use the audio guide?

Yes, bring a fully charged smartphone with the POPGuide app downloaded before the tour starts, plus headphones. The audio commentary is available in English, Spanish and French through the app.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

Most of the tour is from the bus, but the itinerary includes a few stops with short walks on mostly flat surfaces. Small steps may be encountered along the way, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

What is the Gravina ravine and what will I see there?

The Gravina is a dramatic canyon surrounding Matera, with steep rock formations, a suspension bridge, and ancient Rupestrian Churches carved into the stone. The bus route follows the ravine so you can see these natural and historical features from scenic viewpoints.

What time should I arrive, and what happens if the tour doesn't run?

Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. The tour requires a minimum of two participants to operate, so if that threshold isn't met, it may be cancelled.

Are there any extras included besides the bus ride and cave house entry?

You'll receive a city map and a 10% discount voucher for MòVado Food & Drink bar in Piazza Duomo. Food, drinks and gratuities are optional and not included.